| Sir William Martin | |
|---|---|
Admiral Rank Insignia |
|
| Born | 5 December 1801 |
| Died | 24 March 1895 Winchfield, Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1813 - 1870 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | First Naval Lord |
| Awards | GCB |
Admiral Sir William Fanshawe Martin, 4th Baronet GCB (5 December 1801 – 24 March 1895), was a senior British naval officer.
He was the eldest son of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Byam Martin comptroller of the navy (1815–1831),[1] and a grandson, on the mother's side, of Captain Robert Fanshawe, who commanded the "Namur 90" in George Rodney's victory of 12 April 1782. He had two brothers, including Henry Byam Martin (born June 1803).[2]
Entering the navy at the age of twelve,[1] his father's interest secured his rapid promotion: he was made a lieutenant on 15 December 1820;[1] on 8 February 1823 he was promoted to be commander of the Fly sloop,[1] his good service in which in support of the interests of British merchants at Callao secured his promotion as captain on 5 June 1824.[1] He served in the Mediterranean during the periods of 15 November 1826 to 1831 (Captain, Samarang) 19 July 1844 to 31 January 1845 (Captain, Queen), 30 January 1845 to 18 October 1845 (Captain, Trafalgar), and 7 December 1847 to 21 December 1849 (Captain, Prince Regent).[3]
In 1849 to 1852, he was commodore commanding the Channel squadron.[1] He was made rear-admiral in May 1853,[1] and for the next four years was superintendent of Portsmouth dockyard.[1] He was made vice-admiral in February 1858,[1] and after a year as First Sea Lord,[1] he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet in 1860,[1] with his flag in HMS Marlborough (captain - William Houston Stewart).
He had no war service, and, beyond the Italian disturbance of 1860-61, no opportunity for showing diplomatic ability. But his memory lives as that of the reformer of discipline and the originator of a comprehensive system of steam manoeuvres. He became an Admiral in November 1863. On 4 December, he succeeded to the baronetcy, which had been conferred on his grandfather, but passed to Martin upon the death of his cousin, Sir Henry, the 3rd Baronet.[4]
His last appointment was Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, from 1866 to 1869,[1] and in 1870 he was put on the retired list. In 1873 the GCB was conferred on him.[1] He died at Upton Grey, near Winchfield, on 24 March 1895.[1]
He was twice married: on 24 July 1826 to Hon. Anne Best (died 1836), daughter of Lord Wynford, and again on 21 May 1838 to Sophia, daughter of Richard Hurt.[3] Martin left, besides daughters, one son, Sir Richard Byam Martin,[5] who succeeded as 5th Baronet.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Richard Dundas |
First Naval Lord 1858—1859 |
Succeeded by Sir Richard Dundas |
| Preceded by Sir Arthur Fanshawe |
Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet 1860–1863 |
Succeeded by Sir Robert Smart |
| Preceded by Sir Charles Fremantle |
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth 1866–1869 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Codrington |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir William Hope-Johnstone |
Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom 1878–1895 |
Succeeded by Vacant Next held by Sir Edmund Fremantle |
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.